ESPE Abstracts

Aims: A decrease in health-related quality of life (HRQOL) measures among obese and overweight (OB/OW) children has been shown in several studies, but very little is known about the variables affecting HRQOL impairments. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between HRQOL and sociodemographic characteristics, anthropometric measurements, metabolic parameters, mental symptoms and parental attitudes in the sample of OB/OWchildren.

Method: Eighty-six OB/OW children, aged between 9–17 years, were participated. We performed sociodemographic questioning, physical examinations including anthropometry and laboratory evaluations of the participants. HRQOL was assessed using the Pediatric Quality-of-Life Inventory (PedsQL), levels of anxiety and depressive symptoms using The Children's Depression Inventory (CDI) and Screen for Child Anxiety Related Disorders (SCARED)questionnaire respectively and parental attitudes through use of the Parental Attitude Research Instrument (PARI) questionnaire.

Results: A significant relationship was found between total scores of CDI and SCARED answered by children and the total and subscale scores of PedsQ.Scores of total quality of life subscale, physical functionality and emotional functionality subscales were significantly lower in children with family history of mental illness. No significant relationshipbetween PedsQL subscales and anthropometric and metabolic parameters was found.

Conclusions: Therefore, emotional problems and parental psychological distress are important factors that need be considered in models of HRQOLin this population.

Keywords: Obese Children, Parents, Quality of life, Mental Health